Groton — It's the first summer that Pat Garcia won't be at the Eastern Point Beach concession stand, and Gabbie Corado will miss the woman she called Nona and thought of as an adopted grandmother.

Corado, a 20-year-old going into her senior year at the University of Connecticut, started volunteering at the snack shop in 2011 and began working there when she turned 16.

Pat Garcia had operated the snack shop for 35 years with her husband, Bob Garcia, but she died in April at age 73. Bob Garcia decided not to operate the business without her, but Corado said he still comes to the beach every day to read the newspaper.

"It never feels like you're coming to work," Corado said of her summer job. "It feels like you're coming to the beach and seeing everyone around here."

After Pat died and Bob decided to give up management of the concession stand, City Mayor Keith Hedrick was left thinking, "Oh my gosh, what are we going to do?" But he put out a request for proposals and got one bid.

Fortunately, the bid came from someone he knew and trusted: Ernie Koschmieder, food service director for Groton Public Schools. The snack shop operates out of the Tyler House, owned by the city.

It was a quick turnaround to open on June 17, but Koschmieder set about making improvements to the tiny kitchen while replicating the foods visitors had grown to love over the years.

Kerry Pendola, a Groton food service employee who works at the snack shop, said that improvements include a new ice machine, a Tropicana cooler and a redo of the soda machine.

She and other employees had plenty of people to serve on Thursday, as kids at the beach with the city parks and recreation program wandered up to the window, barefoot and in their swimsuits.

"C'mere, honey! Watch it, they are smoking," Pendola said as she handled enticingly scented crinkle-cut fries to a parks and recreation employee.

For less than  $4, a customer can also order a burger, hot dog or chili dog, grilled chicken sandwich, grilled cheese, chicken Caesar wrap or salad.

Clam chowder and chili is served every day, while other options include ice cream and iced coffee.

Koschmieder made it a point to include some healthier options along with the grilled and fried staples of beachfront cuisine. Corado noted that while under management, the recipes for the burgers, which are homemade and hand-pressed, and the popular fritters have remained the same.

And when Corado talks about the staffing levels, she smiles and rolls her eyes up in relief. In addition to having two cooks in the back and two people at the counter, there is now what Pendola calls an "expeditor" in between.

While workers from previous summers were offered their jobs again, the snack shop is now also employing several Fitch High School culinary students, while special needs students make the spices.

Koschmieder said the profits from the snack shop are going to the food services department of the schools.

The concession stand is open seven days a week from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m., with the grill closing at 7. Pendola said an eventual goal is to also serve breakfast.

e.moser@theday.com